About moi~
If Tracy Verdugo was given the opportunity to
coin a term for a new art movement based around what she teaches she
might call it “Curiosity and Wonderism”or maybe “Loosen-upism” or “Endless
possibilitism”
When she is not
hanging out with her family in their artsy adobe home in a small village on the
shores of Jervis Bay, Australia, or throwing paint around in her little purple
studio in their backyard, you may find her wrangling with two large suitcases
attempting to board the BART in San Francisco en route to teach at an art
retreat or sitting in a circle on St Pete Beach Florida listening intently as
women share their stories of creative longing.
Tracy is an inspiration instigator, prolific painter,
singer/songwriter and lover of the written word, smitten traveller and soaker
up of all that is beauty-full. She
teaches her Paint Mojo and other creative workshops all over this amazing
planet and reminds her students of the wonder that already resides within them.
Mostly though she is mama bear to two gorgeous, zest-filled daughters,
Santana and Cece, and co-adventurer in
life with her amor of 29 years, the talented and brilliant Marco.
“The universal theme of connection underlies all of my work; connection to each other and the ways in which we express our humanity; connection with the natural world and the beauty that surrounds us; connection with the divine and a sense of something greater at work in our lives.
My paintings are often created intuitively and I am often surprised at the finished piece. I am inspired by our travels in Mexico and the colours, exuberance of Spirit and magical experiences I have shared with my family there.
I love texture and the sensuality, rhythm and pattern of fabrics and often incorporate these mixed media elements into my work.
I like to believe that we are all part of an intricate and breathtaking tapestry. Our only choice each moment is whether to be a part of the creating or a part of the unravelling. “
Our music! http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/thelonggoodbyes
and a few other snippets....
1. I sometimes speak in other accents just for fun. Our girls loved it when they were small, then they were annoyed by it (early teen rolling eyes stage!), now ve all do eet togezer!
2. I can't sleep on my back because I will usually wake myself up with a snort!
3. I LOVE to cook but often find it frustrating to come up with meals for one vegetarian, one who eats chicken but no seafood or red meat and one who eats everything but red meat. Me, I'll eat anything except offal...blech!
UPDATE 2016- The girls have flown the nest but when they're home, I have fun being creative with vegetarian and gluten free options!
4. I could live in a library! Well, maybe not but I do get excited at the thought of entering them. When I am in Portland visiting family I could pretty much set up camp in Powells City of Books!
5.I am a chronic multitasker. I am often working on five different things at a time (including dishes) flitting from one task to another. My husband is the most focused person I know. I drive him crazy!
6.I talk to butterflies, flowers, animals, leaves, clouds etc. I tend to get along well with others who do the same :)
7.My emotions are directly linked to my stomach. I deal with horrible IBS when I am anxious or stressed. I am working on being less anxious and stressed.
8.I had a hospital birth with our firstborn and a planned home birth with our second. Both were awesome experiences! Being a mum is the BEST thing in my life!
9. I am a scaredy cat when it comes to adventure sports. Sky diving, bungy jumping, kite surfing, rock climbing DO NOT appeal to me. AT ALL. Marco on the other hand is addicted to ADRENALIN!!
10. Traveling fulfills me in a million different ways. I LOVE to immerse myself in other cultures and have vivid memories of myself as a child spending many hours reading a large old book called "People of the World" It was filled with astounding full page black and white images of people with strange hair, bones through their noses, painted skin and piercing eyes. I wanted to meet them all!
11. I have always lived near the ocean. Once, for a year, we rented a house in the country, 25 minutes drive to the sea. I felt lost in that house.
12.I don't dust and I'm not a fan of housework in general. I'd much rather be painting!
13. I have suffered from terrible panic attacks in the past which is probably why adrenalin is not a good feeling for me. I feel like I am on top of it now and have learned many ways to deal with it. It is a horrible, horrible thing to deal with.
14. On my wedding day in 1987 I had a tragic mullet accompanied by a french braid and dangling pearls on my forehead...no I am NOT going to show you a picture of that! This year for our 25th wedding anniversary Marco and I are going to meet in Taos, New Mexico for a romantic rendez-vous......my goal is to have GOOD hair! (Update; in 2012 we did not make it to Taos, plans changed and we had a very romantic few days in Baja California, Mexico instead :))
UPDATE 2016- We finally made it to Taos together for a romantic 3 days ~
15. I am known for singing the wrong words to songs!
16. I consider Mexico my second home. Marco spent much of his early childhood with his abuelita there and something in me comes alive when we visit ♥
17. When I was 12 a voice inside told me that one day I would write a book. I remember stopping right in the middle of the street and answering back "I cant write a book! My life is too ordinary" Today I KNOW my life is definitely not ordinary and there is more than one book formulating in my mind. (Update; My first book Paint Mojo- A Mixed Media workshop was released July 2014!!)
18. I went to my first art class when I was 33. I never took art in school and considered it to be some magical talent that only a very few were born with....I know different now :)
19. When I was pregnant with our first born Marco gave me the encouragement to let the world hear me sing. I performed our first gig 8 months pregnant with my midwife in the audience. Since then we have released 4 CD's.
20. I do not support the Australian governments policy on refugees and would gladly host incoming refugees in our home as they transitioned into a new culture. if only there were such a programme!
21.I have never really traveled alone, besides a short trip here and there. This year when I come to the States and Mexico to teach I will be flying around the country by myself. I feel like a BIG adventure is coming!
Update; I now feel like I am living the BIG adventure and it is amazing, overwhelming, fantastic,stressful, fulfilling, life changing, challenging, eye opening (more to come!)
22.I speak fairly good Spanish and I know a lot of swear words courtesy of the young surfer boys in Pascuales who taught me what I thought was colloquial language for several weeks until Marco finally walked past me cursing out someones mother and had to pull me aside...those boys were rolling on the ground laughing!
23. I believe in miracles and that our thoughts create our reality.
24. I used to be my own worst critic but I have learned to just give myself a break :)
25. I like to have a glass of wine while I'm cooking dinner and will often burst into song with lyrics such as "The Hills are alive with the Sound of Music" or "Ay, ay, ay, ay canta no llores" or "When the sun hits your eye like a big piece of pie that's amore!" Yes I include the accent and no I probably wouldn't do that at your house.
26. I consider myself an introvert/extrovert and generally respond to those around me. After a whole bunch of excitement I need some quiet time. My perfect career would be to spend half the year alone painting and half the year with my creative tribe teaching and exhibiting.
UPDATE 2016- Living the dream, woo hoo!
27. I often fantasize about selling up (getting rid of mortgage!) and moving to a shack on the beach in Mexico.
28. When I learn something new that excites me the first thing I want to do is run out and share it with others...this is how I know that teaching is my calling.
29. I found out I was adopted when I was 29. I love my mum and dad and my biological mum too. I will probably never seek out my biological dad.
UPDATE- Through a serendipitous series of events, my biological father found out about me the week before I went to Qld to teach Paint Mojo. He lives about half an hour from where I was teaching and walked unexpectedly into my Paint Mojo workshop in July. We are both very happy and are enjoying getting to know each other. I am also meeting new family members as I travel throughout the U.S. I have not felt ready to blog about this incredible happening yet but will probably do so soon.
UPDATE 2016- All is wonderful with new family and old!
30. I get to work 4 days a week with the most gorgeous, challenging and interesting kids in special ed and the funniest, warmest staff ever
Update~ In July 2012 I resigned from the Dep't of Education to devote myself full time to my art. I will probably still pop in now and then to say hello and work a casual day here and there.
31. I crave order and routine but am my own worst enemy where organisation is concerned.